ACFL Division 1

Casements 3 – 24 v 2 – 21 Moneyglass

Moneyglass came to Kelly Park in Portglenone in search of two vital league points that might secure relief from relegation playoff activity, but despite putting their best foot forward they didn’t quite do enough to deliver their desired outcome.

They did come from six points down as the contest approached the last ten minutes to narrow the deficit to a single point, and it looked, albeit briefly, that they might get something from the game. However a robust and late challenge on Casements captain Dermot McAleese, who was returning to action after being sidelined for a month due to an injury, was enough of a spark to ignite Casements from their slumber and within a minute two goals, one from Sean Byrne and the other from Enda Lynn was enough to put seven points between them in the blink of an eye and this contest was firmly put to bed.

Casements were missing three of their most prolific scorers during this year’s league, namely Aidan McAleese, Ronan Kelly and Odhran Doherty, and Enda Lynn was getting only his second match in many months, but manager Mattie McGleenan will nevertheless still be content with the return of 3 – 24, whilst Michael Hagan, Tom Duffin and Conall Delargy and company will add to the scoring mix when the championship dust settles.

In their absence Stephen Kelly stood tallest with a personal contribution over the hour of eight points from all angles and Ciaran McAleese did his cause no harm either with a total of 0 – 05. Others to catch the eye over the hour were Paddy Graffin junior, Caolan Tierney, Kelly brothers Paddy and Michael, whilst Enda Lynn is showing glimpses of his reputable pedigree and Sean Byrne moved well throughout contributing to his team’s efforts.

Dermot McAleese, Shane Delargy and Johnny Convery were introduced in the second half getting their first taste of senior action for a few months, and will add to Casements training numbers as the championship season draws nearer.

Moneyglass manager Padraig O’Kane will be disappointed not to take something from the contest considering the hosts were very much in experimental mode. Seanchan Duffin and Conleth McCann worked hard in midfield exchanges as well as from general play. Colm Duffin was scoring at will whenever the ball went into him and O`Kane will be more than satisfied with the efforts of attacking halfbacks Tiernan McCormack and Sean Boyd and overlapping corner back Callum Murray who popped up to raise a number of white flags when his team needed them most.

The best player on view award could equally be shared between Casements Stephen Kelly and exciting Moneyglass centre forward Aidan McErlain who contributed an impressive tally of a goal and five points whilst being in the thick of the action throughout.

With the league over for another season Casements will begin to focus on a tough championship group assignment, whilst Moneyglass will regroup and over the hour showed enough to suggest they should remain in the county’s premier division next season.

Scorers;

Casements; Stephen Kelly 0 – 08, Ciaran McAleese 0 – 05, Enda Lynn 1 – 02, Sean Byrne 1 – 01,  Paddy Kelly 0 – 03, Niall McKeever 1 – 00, Oisin Doherty 0 – 02, Dermot McAleese 0 – 01, Caolan Tierney 0 – 01, Paddy Graffin 0 – 01.

Moneyglass; Aidan McErlain 1 – 05, Colm Duffin 0 – 06, Tyler Cassidy 1 – 01, Conleth McCann 0 – 03, Callum Murray 0 – 02, Connor Okane 0 – 01, Tiernan McCormick 0 – 01, Sean Boyd 0 – 02.